INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SECURITY THREATS TO PAKISTANSECURITY THREATS TO PAKISTAN

The term security is often observed in the narrow-The term security is often observed in the narrow-minded context, rarely do we go into the minded context, rarely do we go into the

conceptual framework. Security is generalized in conceptual framework. Security is generalized in military suggestion but with the rapid military suggestion but with the rapid

developments in the existing world, different developments in the existing world, different dimensions of it have come to the forefront.dimensions of it have come to the forefront.

Security is an overriding priority for all nations. It Security is an overriding priority for all nations. It is also fundamental for both disarmament and is also fundamental for both disarmament and

development. Security consists of not only development. Security consists of not only military, but also political, economic, social, military, but also political, economic, social,

humanitarian and human rights and ecological humanitarian and human rights and ecological aspects. aspects.

INTERNAL THREATS:INTERNAL THREATS: Internal threats are threats Internal threats are threats

which a country has to face within its territory. which a country has to face within its territory. These threats are more common rather than These threats are more common rather than any other threats and have outrageous and any other threats and have outrageous and destructive effects. Destruction of a country‘s destructive effects. Destruction of a country‘s economy is the minor effect of these threats. economy is the minor effect of these threats. These threats not only destabilize a country but These threats not only destabilize a country but also present a bad image of that country in also present a bad image of that country in front of the world. Most of the problems hurried front of the world. Most of the problems hurried interstate tensions and threats are created from interstate tensions and threats are created from within, by its geopolitics, its location within, by its geopolitics, its location

INTERNAL THREATS TO PAKISTAN:INTERNAL THREATS TO PAKISTAN: Pakistan has fallen a Pakistan has fallen a

prey of internal threats badly since coming into prey of internal threats badly since coming into existence. The challenges of threats faced are, old as existence. The challenges of threats faced are, old as well as new. Along with its religious identity Pakistan is well as new. Along with its religious identity Pakistan is also a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural also a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural state. These characteristics have created problems for state. These characteristics have created problems for her. As a consequence, it has experienced all varieties her. As a consequence, it has experienced all varieties of internal conflicts, i.e. tribal insurgencies, ethnic and of internal conflicts, i.e. tribal insurgencies, ethnic and sectarian struggles, civil war, border conflicts, and sectarian struggles, civil war, border conflicts, and conventional war. Few of the threats which confuse the conventional war. Few of the threats which confuse the internal security are from the history of disputable internal security are from the history of disputable boundaries, cross-border diffusion of ethno-linguistic boundaries, cross-border diffusion of ethno-linguistic and religious groups, conflicting economic interests, and religious groups, conflicting economic interests, problems in nation building and economic problems in nation building and economic development. These internal threats lead to external development. These internal threats lead to external interference in internal affairs. Pakistan due to its interference in internal affairs. Pakistan due to its location in the region has been involved in major location in the region has been involved in major coalitions with big powers which create problems for coalitions with big powers which create problems for Pakistan for their personal motives. Pakistan for their personal motives.

SECTARIAN/RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS: SECTARIAN/RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS:

Pakistan’s internal security problem has been Pakistan’s internal security problem has been spoiled by the religious/sectarian problem. spoiled by the religious/sectarian problem. The sectarian threat poses a great danger, The sectarian threat poses a great danger, and could possibly be devastating for the and could possibly be devastating for the country. Pakistan has been regarded by country. Pakistan has been regarded by some observers as a weak and vulnerable some observers as a weak and vulnerable state threatened by the force of ethnicity and state threatened by the force of ethnicity and sectarianism. sectarianism.

ETHNIC UNREST:ETHNIC UNREST: Another danger is the Another danger is the

problem of ethnic unrest. Punjab, with almost problem of ethnic unrest. Punjab, with almost 60 percent of the population, dominates 60 percent of the population, dominates almost all aspects of national life. Smaller almost all aspects of national life. Smaller ethnic groups, all of who have at one time ethnic groups, all of who have at one time been actively dissident, resent this fact. been actively dissident, resent this fact. Sindh, one of the most Sindh, one of the most industrious provinces of Pakistan faces a industrious provinces of Pakistan faces a divide between urban prosperity and rural divide between urban prosperity and rural deprivation as no other province in Pakistan. deprivation as no other province in Pakistan. Sindh is the most ethnically diverse of four Sindh is the most ethnically diverse of four provinces, due to both international transfers provinces, due to both international transfers of peoples into the province during and of peoples into the province during and subsequent to partition in 1947 and to subsequent to partition in 1947 and to domestic internal migration.domestic internal migration.

REFUGEES:REFUGEES: The problem of refugees in Pakistan is a The problem of refugees in Pakistan is a

complex issue for Pakistan. It has further enhanced the complex issue for Pakistan. It has further enhanced the already existing problems. It poses a serious threat to already existing problems. It poses a serious threat to the security at various levels. The main invasion of the security at various levels. The main invasion of refugees came from Afghanistan during the Soviet refugees came from Afghanistan during the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. All the people who ran Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. All the people who ran away for their lives entered Pakistan through the border away for their lives entered Pakistan through the border at the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). About 3.5 at the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). About 3.5 million Afghan refugees entered into Pakistan over the million Afghan refugees entered into Pakistan over the last two decades.last two decades.

The presence of these Afghan refugees The presence of these Afghan refugees poses threat to the security of Pakistan at different poses threat to the security of Pakistan at different levels. At the social level, the presence of Afghan levels. At the social level, the presence of Afghan refugees led to disturbance in the law and order refugees led to disturbance in the law and order situation, increasing violence and criminal activity, and situation, increasing violence and criminal activity, and aggravated ethnic tension in the NWFP as well as the aggravated ethnic tension in the NWFP as well as the Balochistan. The Afghan refugees do not form a group, Balochistan. The Afghan refugees do not form a group, as they belong to various tribes, with different tribal as they belong to various tribes, with different tribal and judicial system, which results in tensions and and judicial system, which results in tensions and conflict within groups and leads to bloodshed. conflict within groups and leads to bloodshed.

Arms. The refugees they brought illegal arms, without Arms. The refugees they brought illegal arms, without any license, which resulted in an abundance of small any license, which resulted in an abundance of small arms in Pakistan. The guns and small arms that the arms in Pakistan. The guns and small arms that the refugees brought with them, they sold it into the open refugees brought with them, they sold it into the open market at very low prices.market at very low prices.

Drugs Drugs Another cause for concern was the involvement Another cause for concern was the involvement of the refugees in drug trafficking. They had free access of the refugees in drug trafficking. They had free access to drugs like heroin that they smuggled through the to drugs like heroin that they smuggled through the borders into Pakistan. This made all these drugs easily borders into Pakistan. This made all these drugs easily accessible to the local society, which, resulted in accessible to the local society, which, resulted in increase of drug addiction.increase of drug addiction. Economy of Pakistan is deeply affected by Economy of Pakistan is deeply affected by the refugees as well. In the early 80’s the amount spent the refugees as well. In the early 80’s the amount spent on these refugees per day crossed well over one million on these refugees per day crossed well over one million dollars per day. Though foreign donors funded half of dollars per day. Though foreign donors funded half of this amount, some of the burden fell on the Pakistani this amount, some of the burden fell on the Pakistani economy. The government had to provide food, shelter economy. The government had to provide food, shelter for these refugees.for these refugees.

TERRORISM:TERRORISM: Terrorism, use of organized pressure, Terrorism, use of organized pressure,

has been a major threat to Pakistan’s internal security. has been a major threat to Pakistan’s internal security. Pakistan has faced the threat of terrorism due to Pakistan has faced the threat of terrorism due to intolerance, suppression, and excessive violence, and intolerance, suppression, and excessive violence, and economic and political discrimination, religious and economic and political discrimination, religious and ethnic division. Terrorism basically exists in two forms ethnic division. Terrorism basically exists in two forms in Pakistan. The religious extremist groups, which have in Pakistan. The religious extremist groups, which have been outlawed and have been involved in sectarian been outlawed and have been involved in sectarian killings or violence fall in this category, whose prime killings or violence fall in this category, whose prime target is not foreign commercial targets but challenge target is not foreign commercial targets but challenge the writ of government and the second one is the writ of government and the second one is supported by external sponsorship.supported by external sponsorship. Pakistan has been hostage to terrorist Pakistan has been hostage to terrorist activities carried out by ethnic and religious groups. activities carried out by ethnic and religious groups. The religious groups used religion as a tool and The religious groups used religion as a tool and expressed that due to control of not being free to expressed that due to control of not being free to actively practice religion, a reaction has occurred. The actively practice religion, a reaction has occurred. The continued criticism of the pro-western policies. In continued criticism of the pro-western policies. In reaction and to discourage the governments to go all reaction and to discourage the governments to go all out for those policies they create trouble by working out for those policies they create trouble by working into terrorist activities into terrorist activities

POVERTY / POPULATION:POVERTY / POPULATION: Poverty and Poverty and

population interlinked, pose another threat to population interlinked, pose another threat to Pakistan’s internal security. There could be Pakistan’s internal security. There could be problems, which facilitate the growth of the problems, which facilitate the growth of the other. The present rate at which Pakistan is other. The present rate at which Pakistan is developing in terms of its population growth developing in terms of its population growth rate it is estimated that in the year 2025, the rate it is estimated that in the year 2025, the population of Pakistan will be 263 million. population of Pakistan will be 263 million. This growth will lead to other problems for This growth will lead to other problems for the country. With the proposed growth rate, the country. With the proposed growth rate, the problems of meeting the basic needs of the problems of meeting the basic needs of the citizens will be difficult. The average the citizens will be difficult. The average person living well below the poverty line will person living well below the poverty line will be further drawn into the turbulence of be further drawn into the turbulence of economic deprivation and embedded further economic deprivation and embedded further deep into poverty. It will be difficult for the deep into poverty. It will be difficult for the state to provide the basic services, which will state to provide the basic services, which will require expansions. require expansions.

EXTERNAL THREATS TO PAKISTANEXTERNAL THREATS TO PAKISTAN External threats are those threats which a External threats are those threats which a

country has to be faced by other countries. As discussed in internal country has to be faced by other countries. As discussed in internal security threats that Pakistan has to face so many internal security security threats that Pakistan has to face so many internal security threats. So, to control these internal threats Pakistan may be threats. So, to control these internal threats Pakistan may be needed a lot of money and to obtain the money she may have to needed a lot of money and to obtain the money she may have to beg for the foreign aid in front the foreign country. The beggar beg for the foreign aid in front the foreign country. The beggar country may be compiled by the foreign country who use to aid. country may be compiled by the foreign country who use to aid. So, as the foreign country wants, it would do.So, as the foreign country wants, it would do.

THREATS OF UNITED STATES TO PAKISTAN:THREATS OF UNITED STATES TO PAKISTAN:

In terms of Pakistan's external security, In terms of Pakistan's external security, the US using Jundullah through Balochistan to destabilize Iran the US using Jundullah through Balochistan to destabilize Iran undermines the socio-historical, cultural and political Pakistan-Iran undermines the socio-historical, cultural and political Pakistan-Iran relationship and creates its own destabilizing dynamics within relationship and creates its own destabilizing dynamics within Pakistani society. Perhaps the silliness of the US ignorance is Pakistani society. Perhaps the silliness of the US ignorance is reflected most clearly now in the statements coming from reflected most clearly now in the statements coming from Obama's Special Envoy for this region, Richard Holbrooke. He Obama's Special Envoy for this region, Richard Holbrooke. He showed it after his visit to Pakistan when he talked about people showed it after his visit to Pakistan when he talked about people not being able to walk independently in Peshawar. not being able to walk independently in Peshawar.

INDIAN FOREIGN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS INDIAN FOREIGN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER’S STATEMENT:MINISTER’S STATEMENT:

13th February, 200913th February, 2009 I rise to inform the I rise to inform the

House of developments since this House House of developments since this House last considered the result of the last considered the result of the dishonorable terrorist attack on Mumbai. dishonorable terrorist attack on Mumbai. On December 12, 2008 this House On December 12, 2008 this House resolved, in a serious Resolution that: resolved, in a serious Resolution that: "India shall not cease in her efforts until "India shall not cease in her efforts until the terrorists and those who have trained, the terrorists and those who have trained, funded and supported them are exposed funded and supported them are exposed and brought to justice". and brought to justice".

RECOMMENDATIONS for remedies:RECOMMENDATIONS for remedies: According to all of According to all of

the above scenario, there are many things which have the above scenario, there are many things which have to be change. But I like to suggest a few things in order to be change. But I like to suggest a few things in order to help remove these threats from the country. These to help remove these threats from the country. These recommendations are as follows: recommendations are as follows:

1.1. EDUCATION: EDUCATION: The first effort should be on the The first effort should be on the

educational front. Pakistan has made significant educational front. Pakistan has made significant improvement in its literacy rate in the last ten years. improvement in its literacy rate in the last ten years. There is a popular national consensus about the There is a popular national consensus about the importance of education. It is important to develop the importance of education. It is important to develop the curricula and syllabi of the first twelve years of curricula and syllabi of the first twelve years of education and to rewrite books on Islamic studies, education and to rewrite books on Islamic studies, social studies, history, Urdu, and English for all school social studies, history, Urdu, and English for all school levels to strengthen the elements which deal with, the levels to strengthen the elements which deal with, the rights of others, tolerance, justice and love rights of others, tolerance, justice and love

GOVERNANCE: GOVERNANCE: The quality of governance needs The quality of governance needs

to be improved. The weak political institutions need to to be improved. The weak political institutions need to be developed, in a manner that the evolutionary be developed, in a manner that the evolutionary process of democracy takes a smooth walk. Bold and process of democracy takes a smooth walk. Bold and decisive leadership that can make the hard choices decisive leadership that can make the hard choices between consumption and investment, education, between consumption and investment, education, defense spending, economic and human development defense spending, economic and human development needs to be there. Leadership that shows integrity in its needs to be there. Leadership that shows integrity in its personal and public dealings, and that make policies, personal and public dealings, and that make policies, which are free of all misconducts and corruption. which are free of all misconducts and corruption. Civil and military relations needs to Civil and military relations needs to be addressed, a harmony between them needs to be be addressed, a harmony between them needs to be created to create a pleasant political environment. created to create a pleasant political environment. Social, diplomatic, military and economic policies Social, diplomatic, military and economic policies should be formulated between the two which guard the should be formulated between the two which guard the national interest of the state and which in the long-term national interest of the state and which in the long-term perspective does not pose a threat.perspective does not pose a threat.

SECTARIANISM:SECTARIANISM: An ongoing dialogue An ongoing dialogue between the leaders of the two groups at a between the leaders of the two groups at a national as well as at the city level is national as well as at the city level is important. Many times, culprits of the important. Many times, culprits of the violence between the two groups have been violence between the two groups have been unknown gunmen who have killed at either unknown gunmen who have killed at either Sunni or Shia Masjids with no one claiming Sunni or Shia Masjids with no one claiming any responsibility. Most leaders from both any responsibility. Most leaders from both sides are not involved in the violence. Most sides are not involved in the violence. Most Masjids do not preach violence against any Masjids do not preach violence against any group. Then who starts these fights?group. Then who starts these fights?

ETHNICITY / MINORTIES:ETHNICITY / MINORTIES: Civil leadership Civil leadership should facilitate dialogue between the ethnic should facilitate dialogue between the ethnic groups in Sindh to create a balance and groups in Sindh to create a balance and harmony. Contact should be established harmony. Contact should be established between the ethnic groups so that they can talk between the ethnic groups so that they can talk out their grievances and redress the situation. A out their grievances and redress the situation. A common cause for the betterment of the common cause for the betterment of the society should be established between the two.society should be established between the two. The minorities should The minorities should be treated appropriately. Positive relationship be treated appropriately. Positive relationship should be worked out between the Muslims and should be worked out between the Muslims and the non-Muslims. A pleasant environment the non-Muslims. A pleasant environment should be created where the minorities do not should be created where the minorities do not feel neglected and contribute in building feel neglected and contribute in building Pakistan as a better state Pakistan as a better state

TERRORRISM:TERRORRISM: Internally Pakistan Internally Pakistan

should deal with sectarianism as that is should deal with sectarianism as that is posing a lot of terrorist threats to the posing a lot of terrorist threats to the security. With emphasis on controlling security. With emphasis on controlling internal threats of terrorism, external the internal threats of terrorism, external the threats should also not be ignored as threats should also not be ignored as they act as feeders to the internal they act as feeders to the internal threats.threats. The Iranian connection to The Iranian connection to supporting the danger of terrorism could supporting the danger of terrorism could not be ruled out. They are funding the not be ruled out. They are funding the sectarian groups who are following their sectarian groups who are following their agenda. agenda.

IMMIGRATION/BORDER:IMMIGRATION/BORDER: Whether it’s the Whether it’s the border with India, Afghanistan, Iran, or the seashores, border with India, Afghanistan, Iran, or the seashores, with the exception of the northeast, Pakistan’s borders with the exception of the northeast, Pakistan’s borders are by and large only monitored on road crossings. This are by and large only monitored on road crossings. This leads to the general problem of a growing illegal leads to the general problem of a growing illegal population and penetration. population and penetration. Smuggling also Smuggling also flourishes in Pakistan due to the border situation. There flourishes in Pakistan due to the border situation. There are well-known bazaars throughout the country, which are well-known bazaars throughout the country, which sell smuggled goods. Last year in Zhob, which borders sell smuggled goods. Last year in Zhob, which borders Afghanistan, I found pickup trucks, which were ten Afghanistan, I found pickup trucks, which were ten percent of the cost of these vehicles in Karachi. You can percent of the cost of these vehicles in Karachi. You can find cheaper and better cows closer to the borders of find cheaper and better cows closer to the borders of India in Sindh, where people smuggle grain and oils to India in Sindh, where people smuggle grain and oils to India in exchange for cows, which Hindus don’t want to India in exchange for cows, which Hindus don’t want to slaughter themselves slaughter themselves